The St. Mary's School community in Ticonderoga said Thursday felt like a fresh start, even though classes began over a month ago.Click here to view the full WPTZ report."It's been a long year," said the Rev. Kevin McEwan.The Catholic K-through-8 school was destroyed by fire in early September 2014. McEwan said it's something he'll never forget."I was up all night and didn't go to bed until the following night just trying to see what's going on or where do I need to be whose going to ask questions," McEwan said.For Sister Sharon Anne Dalton, the day was about moving forward."We have moved on, but we don't want to forget," Sister Sharon said.And now, St. Mary's School doors have re-opened for the first time, revealing a roughly $4 million makeover.The school has several upgrades, including new classrooms, an updated kitchen, a wheelchair lift and a security camera system."The value on this building is through the roof, literally," said McEwan.Sen. Betty Little was at the opening and said experiences like this can only make a community stronger."Things happen in life and sometimes they're not good things that happen but its all about how you deal with those things," Little said.With that, McEwan said there's a silver lining, "If we had to pay for all this ourselves we never would have done it, but because it came under the fire and insurance, it got done."The school community said its more than ready to turn the page, starting a new chapter in the history of St. Mary's.

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. —

The St. Mary's School community in Ticonderoga said Thursday felt like a fresh start, even though classes began over a month ago.